Automatic material-feeding device.



- y PATENTBD MAR.14,'1905. L. J. MoNAHAN 0 0. KIEREN.

AUTOMATIC MATERIAL PEEDING DEVICE. v APBLIoATI'oN FILED JUNE 12.1902.

2 Hams-SHEET .1.

No. 785,070. 4 PATENTBD MAR. 14.1905.

Y L. J. MONAHAN.& 0. KIEREN.

AUTOMATIG MATERIAL PEEDINGDBVIGB.

APPLICATION. FILED JUNE-12,1902.

z SHEETS-s111121 2.

Sy v @mi 18 UNTTED` STATES Patented March I4, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS J. MONAHAN AND CONRAD KIREN', OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS TO THE OSHKOSI-I GRASS MATTING COMPANY, A PART- NERSHIP.

AUTOMATIC MATERIAL-FEEDING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 785,070, dated March 14, 1905.

Application led June 12, 1902. Serial No. 111,281.

To nil ll/'700711, t 11i/ty concern:

Beit known that we, LOUIS J. MONAHAN and CONRAD KTEREN, residing at Oshkosh, in the county of Winnebago and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Material-Feeding Devices, of which the following is adescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

Our invention has relation to improvements in automatic material-feeding devices more especially adapted for feeding length of grass to the winding and spooling mechanism of grass-twine machines.

'Ihe primary object of the invention is the provision of a construction of such character as to provide for increasing the speed thereof, and thereby increasing the capacity of the machine.

A further object is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and eficient construction of parts so combined and arranged as to be capable of effecting the different operations in a simple manner.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view the invention consists of the devices and parts or their equivalents, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the carrier-frame for initially feeding the material laterally into the passage-way of the machine. Fig. 4 is a detail View of one of the segments for forcing the lengths of material longitudinally through the passage-way, the shaft thereof being in section to clearly illustrate the pin for holding the segment movably on the shaft. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View of the segment-shaft and one of the segments thereon and the spacing-collar adjacent to said segment. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the cam for causing a shaking movement to be given to the funnel. Fig. 7 is a View at right angles to Fig. 6, showing the follower in connection with the cam. Fig. 8 is a detail View, partly in horizontal section, of one of the upper longitudinal side beams and the bearings carried thereby.

The framework may be of any desired construction adapted for the passage therethrough of the lengths of material and for supporting the operative parts of the mechanism.' The general form of the frame shown in the drawings, however, may be employed to advantage, and the entire frame therein shown may be either cast in one piece or built up of separate parts connected together, as preferred.

As shown in the drawings, it consists of the uprights 8,the side longitudinal beams 9 9,and the intermediate longitudinal beams IO, disposed a desired distance below the beams 9. T hese beams 9 are connected at a median portion of the frame 'oy means of upper bars or slats 11, and the intermediate beams 10 are connected by similar bars or slats I2, the space between said bars forming a throat or feedway 13 for the travel of the lengths of material therein. Both the Lipper and lower bars projectlaterally beyond one side of the frame for a desired distance, the outer ends of the upper bars being curved upwardly, as shown clearly in Fig. 3, while the lower bars are straight throughout their lengths and\extend beyond the curved ends of the upper bars. Also projecting from the same side of the machine from which the bars 11 and 12 extend and located just above the two upper bars Il, which project from the vmain frame of the machine, is a carrier-frame consisting of the similar side pieces 14 14, which are connected by means of transverse connecting-plates 15. The under edges of the plates 14 have depending therefrom prongs or lingers 16, which extend down into the feedway, throat, or passage 1?), terminating a slight distance above the lower slats 12. These prongs or fingers are preferably cast integral with the side pieces 1A, although, if desired., they may be separate therefrom and rigidly secured thereto. The side pieces l1li are provided with rectangular openings 1-7. Three ofthese openings are shown in the drawings, and in the end openings are loosely fitted cams 18 18 of the form of construction clearly shown in Fig. 3. The intermediate opening is not essential, but maybe provided to advantage 1n order to secure lightness to the entire carrier frame. The cams' are .drawings we show on corresponding ends of the shafts spur-gears 20. An intermediate spur-gear 211s in mesh with these spur-gears 20, said intermediate spur-gear being mounted on an intermediate shaft or stud 22,-which` shaft or stud is mounted in a bearing 22, projecting upwardly from the lateral extension 9 of the side beam 9. Either one of the shafts 19 may be actively rotated by any desired means. In the accompanying illustration we arrange to actively drive the inner shaft 19 through the connections hereinafter specified. Of course whenone of the shafts 19 is rotated the spur-gear on the end thereof is rotated therewith, and by reason of this spur-gear meshing with the intermediate spurgear and by reason of said intermediate spurgear meshing with the spur-gear on the end of the other shaft 19 said latter shaft is driven in the same direction as and in unison with the irst-referred-to shaft 19.

The numeral 23 indicates a lever which is fulcrumed intermediate of its ends on short standards 24 24. The said standards are connected at their lower ends by a pin or short shaft 24', which pin is mounted in a bearing 242, extending upwardly from the extension 9 of the side beam 9. One end of this lever is formed or provided with a cross-piece 25, and the opposite ends of this cross-piece fit in elongated slots 26 in the upper portions of the side pieces 14 of the carrier-frame. Depending from the end of the lever opposite to the end which carries the cross-piece are pins or tines 27.

Journaled in suitable bearings at one end of the main frame of the machine are shafts 28 28, arranged one above the other and carrying rolls 29 29, preferably covered with suitable soft or yielding material, such as rubber. A shaft 32 is located ata short distance to the rear of the rolls 29 and has its ends journaled in the beams 10 of the frame. Mounted on this shaft is another roll,v33, preferably covered with suitable soft or yielding material,.

such as rubber. A shaft 34 is arranged directly over the roll 33 and has mounted thereon a series of segments 35, each of which is advisably provided with a groove in the pprtionv of the edge thereof which is concentric with ie axis. If preferred,v however, a double gropve may be provided in such edge instead of a"single groove. Each segment is held on the shaft in the peculiar manner shown, which will now be explained. The hole 36 in each segment, through which the shaft 34 passes, instead of being round is of oblong form, whereby an up-and-down play of each segment on the shaft is permitted. In order to prevent the segments from turning, a pin 37 is provided for each of said segments, and each of these pins fits loosely in a hole 38 in the shaft and also looselyin a keyseat 39 in the segment. A coiled spring 40 is fitted in each hole 38 of the shaft, said spring being disposed between the closed end of the hole and the end of the pin 37. The expansive force of these springs tends to hold the segments normally in the position shown in Fig. 4. The pins 37 not only have the function just-described, but also serve to connect the segments to the shaft 34, so that the rotation of said shaft is imparted to the segments. Spacing-collars 41 are placed between the segments in order to maintain said segments the proper lateral distance apart, and they are fitted loosely between the segments, so as to allow of the slight vertical play of the segments on the shaft, said collars being provided with semicircular recesses 42` which receive the semicircular portions of the pins 37, which project beyond the'segments 35. Any desired number of segments may be provided, but in practice we usually employ from ten to twelve.

Just in advance of the rolls 29 is a downwardly-inclined funnel 43, which is adapted to receive therein the lengths of grass or other material as said lengths are fed from between the rolls 29. It is desirable that this funnel shouldhave imparted thereto alaterally-shaking movement to facilitate the sliding downwardly therein of the lengths of grass. For this purpose we mount on a shaft 44 a cam preferably consisting of a collar or enlargement 45, having therearound asinuous groove 46. The ends of the shaft are journaled in bearings projecting inwardly from the uprights 8. The under side of the funnel has extending downwardly therefrom a stem 47, which fits freely in a tubular bearing 48, mounted upon the framework. The lower end of this stem projects below the bearing and has connected thereto the outer end of a follower 49. The inner end of this follower fits in the groove 46, and as the shaft 44 is rotated the rotation thereby imparted to the cam will cause a movement of the follower, and said movement of the follower will necessarily impart a rapid lateral shaking movement tothe funnel.

The shaft 44 is projected beyond the framework and carries a fast and loose pulley, designated, respectively, by the numerals 30 and 31. A driving-belt (not shown) is adapted when the machine is in operation to extend around the fast pulley, and any usual and wellknown form of mechanism may be employed for shifting the belt from the fast to the loose IOO IOS

IlO

pulley, so as to cause a cessation of the operation of the machine.

For imparting rotation to the several rotatable parts we employ one belt 50, which passes around a pulley 51 on the shaft 34, thence downwardly and around a pulley 52 on the shaft 32,thence continued to and around a guide-pulley 53, mounted on a stud carried by a downward projection from the beam 10, and said belt is then extended to and around a pulley 54 on the shaft 44, thence upwardly and around a pulley 55 on the shaft 28 of the lower roll 29, thence upwardly and around a pulley 56 on the shaft 28 of the upper roll 29, and finally continued back to the pulley 51.

For transmitting rotation to the inner camshaft 19 we prefer to extend one end of said shaft a desired distance and mount on the extremity thereof a worm-wheel 57, which is engaged by a worm 58 on one end of the shaft 34. The extended end of the cam-shaft is supported in a suitable bearing, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

It will be understood that our improved feeding mechanism is adapted to be used inl conjunction with the winding and spooling mechanism of machines for making twinesuch, for instance, as the type of machine covered in our pending application for patent for improvements insmachines for making twine, filed December 9, 1901, Serial No. 85,122, the funnel 43 leading and adapted to convey the material to the winding mechanism.

In the operation of the invention the lengths of grass or other material to be operated upon are fed manually into the feedway or space between the extensions of the bars 11 and 12, with their lengths coincident with the length of the machine and with their1 large ends toward the roller 33. The rotative parts of the machine being set in motion, the fingers 16 of the carrier-frame act upon the lengths of material and forcethe same across the machine along the transverse feedway and into the longitudinal passage-way, which extends lengthwise along the frame of the machine and along' which the grass lengths are carried lengthwise from the feedway to the funnel 43. The carrier-frame through the action of the cams 18 thereon has a peculiar movement imparted thereto. y This movement may be described as a rectangular movementthat is to say, the frame is iirst forced inwardly for a desired distance, thence upwardly, thence outwardly, and finally downwardly ready for a repetition of the operation. On the inward movement of the carrier-frame the lingers 16 being down and engaging the lengths of material force said lengths along the bars and across the machine. On the up movement of the carrier-frame the fingers 16 rise out of the material. The carrier-frame then moves outwardly and finally downwardly, again carrying the fingers into the material for another inward movement. This rectangular motion of the carrier-frame is caused through the action of the cams 18 on the bordering edges of the rectangular openings 17, the edges 59 and 60 of the cams being the active edges thereof. While our machine as illustrated is intended to provide for four of these cams, yet we do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to that particular number, inasmuch as any additional number of oppositelyarranged cams could be provided by forming the frame with square openings therefor, or, again, successful results could be obtained by employing only two of the oppositely-ar ranged cams. When the carrier frame is raised by the action of the cams 18, the outer end of the lever 23 is raised therewith, which causes the inner end of said lever to lower, and thereby also lowers the tines or prongs 27, and as the lower ends of said tines are sharpened and attened they will readily enter the material and serve to hold the same downwardly or prevent the same from becoming loose during the period that thel fingers 16 are being raised out of said material. Of course when the carrier-frame is lowered the lever 23 is so acted upon as to raise the tines out of the material. It will be seenr from the foregoing description that the lengths of material are thus continually forced along the feedway 13 into the passage-way in a direction across the machine, the lengths of material extending lengthwise of the passage-way. The concentric portions of the segments 35 act on the material so forced into the passage-way 13 and draw said lengths of material between said segments and the roll 33, the said lengths being received in the groove or grooves of said concentric portions, and being thereby pressed against the yielding or soft peripheral covering of the roll 33, which roll thereby cooperates with the segments in effecting a movement of the material. The segments are arranged on the shaft 34 in such manner that the acting concentric portions thereof successively follow each other, so that at all times some lengths of grass are engaged and forced longitudinally. By making the holes 36 of the segments oblong in form the said segments when the concentric portions thereof act on the lengths of material are permitted to move upwardly a slight distance against the contrary force,I exerted by the springs 4l). This arrangement permits each Asegment to rise independently of the other and at varying distances. It is necessary that provision should be made for independent movement or play of the segments, inasmuch as they of course encounter varying thicknesses of the lengths of material, and hence must risevarying distances. After passing between the roll 33 and the segments 35 the advancing ends of the lengths of material pass between the rolls 29 29 and are pulledbetween Y said rolls and enter the funnel 43. Inasmuch TOO toward its discharge end it is evidentthat the lengths of material passing therethrough are necessarily compressedand forced together as they seek an outlet through said dischargeopening.

From the above description it will be seen that we provide not only a machine which is exceedingly simple in construction and operation, but one in which the capacity for rapidly feeding the lengths of material to the winding and spooling mechanism is readily increased. In our machine all the motions of the high-speed parts are rotary, and consequently there is scarcely any limit of speed to which the machine can be run and which maximum speed it is impossible to attain in a machine which employs reciprocating parts.

What we claim as our invention isl. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame having a passage-way for the lengthwise travel of the material there-- through, and also provided with a laterallyprojectingV feedway into which the material to be operated upon is fed sidewise, said feedway leading to the passage-way of' the frame, a carrier device provided with depending fingers adapted to operate in the feedway, means for imparting to the carrier device an inward movement, an upward movement, an outward movement, and a downward movement, the inward movement causing the depending fingers to contact with the material and push said material inwardly into the passage-way of the frame, the upward movement lifting the carrier device and its depending fingers and thereby bringing said fingers out of contact with the material, the outward movement carrying the carrier device back to its outward limit, and the downward movement again bringing the depending fingers into Contact with the material, and means for moving said vmaterial through the passage-way of the frame.

2. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame having a passage-way for the lengthwise travel of the material therethrough, and also provided with a laterallyprojecting feedway into which the material to be operated upon is fed sidewise, said feedway leading to the passage-way of the frame, a carrier device provided with depending fingers adapted to operate in the feedway, means for causing the carrier device to move in a rectangular path, the inward movement thereof causing the depending fingers to engage the material and push the same inwardly, and means for moving the material through the passage-way of the frame.

3. `In a material-feeding device, the combiimation of' a frame having a passage-way for thetravel of the material therethrough, and also"provided with a projecting feedway into which the material to be operated upon is fed,

said feedway leading to the passage-way of the frame, a carrier device provided with depending fingers adapted to extend into the feedway, and said carrier device also provided with side pieces, each having an opening therein, cams fitting loosely in the openings of the side pieces, means for rotating said cams in unison so as to cause the same to act on the bordering edge-s of the openings and thereby impart to the carrier device an inward movement, an upward movement, an outward movement, and a downward movement, the said inward movement causing the depending fingers to contact with the material and force said material inwardly into the passage-way ofthe frame, the upward movement elevating the frame and its depending fingers and thereby bringing said fingers out of contact with the material, the outward movement carrying the carrier device back to its outward limit, and the downward movement again bringing the depending fingers into Contact with the material, and means for moving the material through the passage-way of' the frame. i

4. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame having a passage-way for the travel of the material therethrough, and also provided with a projecting feedway into which the material to be operated upon is fed, said feedway leading to the passage-way of the framefa carrier device provided with depending tingers adapted to extend into the feedway, and also provided with side pieces, each side piece having an opening therein, cams fitting looselyin the openings of' the side pieces, means for rotating said cams in unison so as to cause the same to act on the bordering edges of the openings and thereby impart to the carrier device an inward movement, an

-upward movement, an outward movement,

and a downward movement, the said inward movement causing the depending fingers to contact with the material and force said material inwardly into the passage-way of the frame, the upward movement elevating the frame and its depending fingers and thereby bringing said fingers out of Contact with the material, the outward movement carrying the carrier device back to its outward limit, and the downward movement again bringing the depending fingers into contact with the material, and means for moving the material through the passage-way of the frame.

5. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame having a passage-way for the travel of the material therethrough and also provided with a projecting feedway into which the material to be operated upon is fed, said feedway leading to the passage-way of the frame, a carrier device having depending fingers adapted to extend into the feedway, said carrier device also provided with side pieces, each side piece having a plurality of openings therein, cams fitting loosely in the IOO IIO

openings of the side pieces, means for rotating said cams in unison so as to cause the same to act on the bordering edges of the openings and thereby impart to the carrier device an inward movement, an upward movement, an outward movement, and a downward movement, the said inward movement causing the depending fingers to contact with the material and force said material inwardly into the passage-way of the frame, the upward movement elevating the frame and `its depending lingers and thereby bringing said lingers out of contact with the material, the outward movement carrying the carrier device back to its outward limit, and the downward movement again bringing the depending fingers into contact with the material, and means for moving the material through the passage way of -the frame.

6. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a fratrie having a passage-way for the travel of the material therethrough, and also provided with a projecting feed way leading to the passage-way of the frame, a carrier device having lingers depending therefrom and adapted to extend into the feedway, and said carrier device also vprovided with side pieces, each side piece' having openings therein, cams litting loosely in the openings, shafts on which said cams are mounted, toothed wheels on the ends of said shaft, an intermediate toothed wheel meshing with the toothed wheels of the shafts, means for actively driving one of the cam-shafts, whereby the cams, through the intermeshing toothed wheels, are caused to rotate in unison and thereby act on the bordering edges of the openings and impart to the carrier device an inward movement, an upward movement, an outward movement, `and a downward movement, the said inward movement causing the depending lingers to contact with the material and force said material inwardly into the passage-way of the frame, the upward movement elevating the frame and its depending fingers and thereby bringing said lingers out of contact with the material, the outward movement carrying the carrier device back to its outward limit, and the downward movement again bringing the depending lingers into contact with the material, and means for moving the material through the passage-way ofthe frame.

'i'. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame having a passage-way for the travel of the material therethrough, and also provided with a projecting fee'dway leading to the passage-way, means for conveying the material through the feedway into the passage-way, downwardly-extending tines or prongs, means, when the conveying mechanism is engaging the material and conveying the same into the passage-way, for holding the tines or prongs elevated', and for causing said tines or prongs to lower and engage the material, when the conveying mechanism is not actively engaging the material, and means for moving the material through the passageway of the frame.

8. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame having a passageway for the travel ofthe material therethrough and also provided with a projecting feedway leading to the passage-way, a carrier device provided with means for acting on the material, and also provided with elongated slots, means for imparting to the carrier device an inward movement, an upward movement, an outward movement, and a downward movement, the `said inward movement causing the carrier device to contact with the material and force said material into the passageway of the frame, the upward movement elevating the carrier device out of contact with the material, the outward movement carrying the carrier device back to its outward limit, and the downward movement again bringing the carrier device into contact with the material,

a lever pivoted intermediate of its ends and having a cross-piece at one end, the extremities of said cross-piece fitting loosely the elongated slots ofthe device, and the opposite'end of the lever. having tines or prongs depending therefrom, and means for moving the material through the passage-way of the frame.

9. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material to be acted upon, a rotatable roll journaled in the frame, a series of revoluble devices cooperating with the roll, each revoluble device provided with a concentrically-curved edge, the said devices being so set that the material is always acted upon by one or more of the curved concentric edges, whereby said material is pressed against the roll and moved along the frame of the machine.

10. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material to be operated upon, a rotatable roll journaled in the frame, a series of revoluble devices cooperating with the roll and revolubly mounted on a common shaft, but having an independent and variable radial play on said shaft, each revoluble device provided with means for pressing the material against the roll, whereby said material is moved along the frame of the machine.

1l.` In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel IOO IIO

terial is moved along the frame of the machine, and a series of spacing-collars loosely set on the shaft between the revoluble devices.

.12. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material to be operated upon, a rotatable roll journaled in the frame, a rotatable shaft mounted in the frame, a series of devices provided with oblong openings through which the shaft passes, and each device provided with means for pressing the material against the roll, whereby said material is moved along the frame of the machine, a series of pins fitting loosely in openings therefor in the shaft and in recesses therefor in the rotatable devices, and a spring interposed between one end of each pin and the closed end of the opening of the shaft. 13. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material to be acted upon, means for moving said material along the frame of the machine, a funnel having a gradual taper toward its discharge end, said funnel being in line to receive therein the material moving along the frame of the machine, a stem depending from the funnel, a tubular bearing through which the stem passes, a rotatable cam provided with a sinuous groove, and a follower extending from the stem and engaging the 'sinuous groove of the cam, whereby, upon the rotation of the cam, a lateral shaking motion is imparted to the funnel.

14. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material to be operated upon, a rotatable roll journaled in the frame, a series of revoluble devices coperating with the roll, each revoluble device provided with means for pressing the material against the roll, whereby said material is-moved along the frame of the machine, and two rotatable rolls in advance of the first-mentioned roll and adapted to receive therebetween the material so moved along the frame of the machine.

15. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame having a passage-way therein and a projecting feedway leading to the passage-way, a carrier device provided with depending iingers adapted to extend into the feedway, said carrier device provided with side pieces, each side piece having Aan opening therein, cams loosely fitting in the opening and adapted, when rotated, to impart an inward movement, an upward movement, an outward movement, and a downward movement to the carrier device, a shaft on which said cams are mounted, one extremity of said shaft having a worm-wheel thereon, mechanism for moving the material along the frame, one member thereof consisting of a rotatable shaft having means thereon for acting at different portions thereof successively on the `material fed to the passage-way ofthe frame,

and the other member thereof forming an opposing' surface coperating, and adapted 1n shaft above the roll, said shaft having a pulley mounted thereon, and also havingaseries of revoluble devices thereon, each revoluble device provided with means for pressing material against the roll, whereby said material is moved through the passage-way', two shafts in advance of the first-mentioned shaft, said shafts having pulleys mounted thereon, and each of said shafts also having a roll thereon, means for actively driving one of said rollshafts, and a belt engaging the several pulleys.

17. Y In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the lengths of material to be operated upon, a pair of draw-rolls arranged in line with the travel of the material and transverse of the lengths thereof, and roller means for starting or forcing the ends of successive lengths of the material between the draw-rolls, whereby said rolls serve to grasp and draw a portion of the lengths of the material.

18. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material fed therein,mech anism for moving the material along the frame, one member of said mechanism being movable and adapted to act at different longitudinal portions thereof successively on thematerial fed into the machine, and the other member thereof forming an opposing surface cooperating, and adapted, in connection with the successively-acting portions of the other member, to move the material along the frame of the machine.

19. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material fed therein, mechanism for moving' the material along the frame, one member of said vmechanism having a circular path of movement and adapted to act at different longitudinal portions thereof successively on the material fed into the machine, and the other member thereof forming an opposing surface coperating, and adapted, in connection with the successively-acting portions of the other member, to move the material alongY the frame of the machine.

20. In a material-feed ing device, the combination of a frame, constructed for the travel therethrough of the material fed therein,mech anism for moving the material along the frame, one member of said mechanism being movable and having different longitudinal portions IOO thereof provided with differently-positioned grooves adapted to act successively on the material fed into the machine, and the other member thereof consisting of an opposing surface coperating, and adapted, in connection with the successively-acting portions of the other` member, to move the material along the fr ame.

2l. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frameconstructed for the travel therethrough of the material. fed therein, mechanism for moving the material along the frame, one member of said mechanism being movable and adapted to act at different longitudinal portions thereof successively on the material fed into the machine, and the other member thereof forming a rotatable opposing surface coperating, and adapted, in connection with the successively-acting portions of the other member, to move the material along the frame of the machine.

22. In a material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material to be operated upon, mechanism for moving the material along the frame, one member of said mechanism consisting of a series of revoluble devices, each revoluble device provided with a partially concentrically curved edge, and the said devices being' so set that the material will always be acted upon by one or more of the curved concentric edges, and the other member of the material-moving mechanism having an opposing surface, coperating, and adapted, in connection with the concentricallycurved edges of the revoluble devices, to move the material along the frame of the machine.

23. In a material-feeding device, the combination with a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material to be operated upon, of mechanism for moving the material along the frame, one member of said mechanism being revoluble, and having materialengaging means carried thereby and located thereon transverselyof or at an angle to the axis of said revoluble member, and the other member of the mechanism for moving the material having a surface opposed to the revoluble member, portions of the material-engaging' means of said revoluble member, in the revolution of said member, successively cooperating with the opposing member, and thereby moving the material along the frame of the machine.

24. In a'material-feeding device, the combination of a frame constructed for the travel therethrough of the material to be operated upon, mechanism for moving the material alongthe frame,one member ofsaid mechanism being movable and adapted to act at different longitudinal portions thereof successively on the material fed into the machine,and the other member thereof having an opposing surface coperating, and adapted, in connection with the successively-acting portions of the other member, to start the movement of thematerial along the frame of the machine, and a pair of draw-rolls arranged in line with the travel of the material and transverse of the lengths thereof, and adapted to receive therebetween the lengths of material moved by the material-moving mechanism, and thereby draw said lengths of material therebetween.

In testimony whereof we alix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS J. MONAHAN. CONRAD KIEREN.

Witnesses to Monahans signature:

A. L. MoRsnLL, ANNA V. FAUs'r.

Witnesses as to Conrad Kieren:

I. N. KORNELY, C. G. CANNON. 

